Her Curse

Chapter 2

Haley’s POV

“No one will even notice that I’m not there, Gav, and I don’t have anything to wear” I said, and I started to think this was sounding more and more like that Cinderella story. “What do you mean you hate prom?” Gavin asked, “You’ve never been and this is senior year, you have to go Haley!” Gavin is my best freind and also one of those popular jocks that I mentioned earlier, besties with Daxton Harper and his crew. I know, I know, but he is different, he’s always kind of been like a big brother to me. He’s also my neighbor and he’s seen my mother do some pretty terrible things to me. He’s been my safe place more times than I can count. In truth, I really DID want to go, but I don’t have the wardrobe or the funds to go and I will NOT show up in the same hand me down jeans and t-shirt that I wear on permanent rotation. I don’t know what I would do without Gavin’s older sister, Reese, gifting me some of her old clothes. She isn’t big on fashion but I am grateful to have clothes that fit me. Sort of, I’m a twig, remember.

Gavin and I continued to discuss prom and my refusal to go as we pulled into the parking lot at school. Gavin has been driving me ever since my run in with Daxton Harper. SO EMBARRASSING!! “Gavvy, there you are!! I’ve been waiting for FOREEEEVVERRRR for you to get here”, Amelia says as she emphasized the beginning E and ending R sounds of forever and walks right past me without even a glance. Definitely invisible, even as I get out of Gavin Russell’s car. “See ya, Gavvy” I mumble under my breath and walk alone to class as Amelia continues to greet Gavvy with her tongue.

I have always felt a pang of jealousy when I see Gavin with Amelia, not because I like him like that, because that is ridiculous. I also feel that same jealousy when I see him with his friends or even at the ONE football game I went to watch him play. He gets to live this life that he absolutely deserves, of small town fame. Everyone knows him, everyone loves him and he will do such great things in life. He is such a kind hearted person. I just wish I had some of those same opportunities. I’m only allowed out of the house when my mother is in another drunken slunder and that’s only because she doesn’t know I’m gone. As long as all the chores are done and the house is clean, she really doesn’t see me either. Not until something doesn’t go her way and she needs to release her frustration out on someone. One time Gavin had to take me to the hospital to get stitches because Lydia had smashed her bottle of whiskey over my head, she left countless bruises on my arms from handling me too hard, and locked me in a dark closet with nails in the door so I wouldn’t try to escape. Over the last few years, it has gotten worse and I’ve learned to do my chores and stay out of sight. The past 6 months have been pretty smooth though. I even thought that I saw a hint of guilt on her face a couple weeks ago as she noticed the scar left over above my eye by her friend Jim. However, it was gone just as quickly as I thought I saw it.

I just feel so lonely. I know that I have Gavin, and I’m grateful, but he is a popular football player with a gorgeous girlfriend and all the popular friends he can find. He really never meets a stranger either. That’s one thing I love about Gavin, he doesn’t see labels. Jocks, nerds, goths, outcasts, the invisibles. He sees us all and treats us all the same. That has to be a hard quality to have, right? I mean, I’m invisible and I can’t even say I’m that good of a person. Survival mode. That’s what I’m doing, I’m surviving. I couldn’t have done it without Gavin. I need him like that, but he doesn’t need me. Sometimes I wonder if he’ll miss me when I’m gone in 6 weeks. I haven’t told him about my plan to leave yet. Truthfully, I’m scared I won’t get the reaction that I’m hoping for. I need to go, but it would be nice if someone missed me. I haven’t decided where I will go yet, maybe Fall River. I’ve read about it; lots of parks and waterfront areas. A bigger city, definitely bigger than Spring Ridge and without having to hide in the shadows of my own home, maybe I can make a name for myself there. Maybe I will fall in love, start a family and live out my simple little life happily ever after. I don’t need fortune or fame, just a simple life surrounded by people who love me. It’s the little things, I guess there isn’t much more to hope for when you’ve grown up with Lydia as a mother. Someone who doesn’t want you and is very vocal about it. I lucked out in the best friend department, but he is moving on to bigger and better things in his life and he deserves all the best things. He shouldn’t hold back in fear of what might happen to me. I have to get out of here, get away from Lydia. Maybe I can find my father.

RIIIIIIIING!!! The lunch bell pulls me back from my thoughts. It’s prom week here at Spring Ridge High, Under the Sea, oh so original. It is making this week of school pretty irrelevent, no lessons are being taught and everything prom is in full swing. You know, the promposals, dates making sure they are color coordinating, plans of limos and after-prom activities. Gavin and Amelia will be coordinating in a perfect shade of baby blue, matching Amelia’s eyes and complimenting Gavin’s skin tone perfectly. They will give Daxton and Becca a run for their money as prom king and queen, but alas, everyone knows who will win that battle. Gavin isn’t much for theatrics and Daxton feeds off of it. I really don’t understand their friendship, but Gav insists Daxton is a good guy “once you get to know him.” It’s funny because, Daxton doesn’t even know I exist, I will never get to know him. I overheard Becca, practically yelling about her amazing dress. I have to give it to her, seafoam green is a bold choice, but much like Amelia, it will match her eyes perfectly too.

“Hales! Wait up!” I heard Gavin yell from down the hall. I always perk up when he talks to me at school. Well, really when anyone notices me at school. I haven’t decided if it is better to be invisible or if I would prefer to be picked on or bullied. That’s usually the moment that Lydia reminds me that being invisible is preferred. “Penny for your thoughts, Hales?” Gav asks. I always feel extra good when he calls me Hales. “It’s nothing really, the day is just been nothing but prom stuff. I’m thinking of skipping the rest of the day.” I replied. “You really do need to come. Prom night is always magical for Sping Ridge seniors” he continues “besides, Reese has agreed to let you borrow one of her dresses, now you have no excuse!” Gavin is beaming with pride like he was just voted MVP or something. My stomach is in knots. Why is he so insistent that I be there? Not that people don’t want me there, but they wouldn’t notice if I weren’t. I don’t even have a date, or a friend other than him and he will have Amelia on his arm. He, or more rather she, wouldn’t want me as a third wheel. I would feel awful about that anyway. He seems so conflicted and I can’t quite understand the expression on his face. “Please, Haley? Please come to prom? I can’t enjoy the night knowing that you are sitting at home having to dodge Lydia all alone.” He pleaded. There it is.. Gavin doesn’t really care if I’m at prom, he just doesn’t want to have to worry about Lydia sending me to the hospital again. “Gavin, I will be okay at home, I promise. I’m sure Lydia will be drowning herself in another bottle of Jim and won’t give a second thought to me.” I tell him. “Hales” He almost seems broken and at a loss of what to do. “I promise, I will be okay, I will do my duties and hide in the shadows. She hasn’t been bothering me lately, anyway and besides, I couldn’t take more from Reese. She has been so generous with the clothes as it is.” Hoping that is enough to subside him. “Gavvy, baby!” saved by the annoying highpitched cheerleader. “Hey Mia, will you please tell Haley that she has to go to prom, she’s refusing to go.” Gavin tells her as he gestures to me like I’m crazy. My inner child is freaking out. Did he really just put a spotlight on me? How could he do this to me! She’s not going to like the idea of her boyfriend trying to get another girl to go to prom. “How can you NOT want to go to prom??” She looks at me and continues as if she really sees me as a person, “Haley, right? Gavvy is totally right, you do have to go! It’s like a Spring Ridge High right of passage or something.” I’m starting to really feel the pressure, and genuinely surprised that Amelia, or Mia as Gavvy called her, isn’t at my throat right now. Why do either of them honestly care if I’m there or not? I mean I can understand Gavin worrying about my mom and what she might do, but Amelia? What is her motive? “Right of passage? Is that some fancy way of saying, loss of virginity?” I said with a chuckle which also earned a laugh from both Gavin and Amelia. “No, nothing like that.” Amelia says laughing, “there will be a full moon the night of prom.” As if that is supposed to make sense to me, full moons have always caught my attention. I get a sense of peace when I see one, but I don’t understand how prom and full moons have anything in common. “So… a full moon on prom night, yeah I’m sure it will be a wild night! What color is your dress, Amelia?” The whole school already knows, plus Gavin wanted my help picking out his tux, but maybe this will get the attention off of me. “OH, I have the perfect baby blue dress! It hugs me in alll the right places excentuating all of my assets!” She says as she flirtaciously looks at Gavin, making sure he knows she will be looking delicious. “But please, call me Mia” as she brings her attention back to me. “You know, Haley, I would love to give you a makeover, you could be so pretty with a little bit of effort! Do you have your dress yet? We should go shopping after school!” Mia exclaims as I can see her eyes light up at the thought of shopping and makeovers. My stomach is twisted in knots, it’s so gracious of her to offer, but even if I could afford it, mother would never let me go. “Oh, that’s so nice of you but I don’t even have a date, plus I think my mother is expecting me home today after school.” I say as I pass a knowing glance at Gavin. “I appreciate the offer Mia, but it’s probably better that I skip out on prom, no one wants to see these dance moves!” I say with a chuckle as I walk away. That was too close for comfort. I don’t need Mia, or anyone else knowing about my problems. I’m sure someone out there has it worse and I can’t believe Gavin brought her into the middle of it. He knows why I can’t go!